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Abstract:

An optical device includes: a light guide plate receiving, for each of N
types of wavelength bands, a plurality of parallel light beams with
different incident angles each corresponding to view angles, and guiding
the received parallel light beams; a first and a second volume hologram
gratings of reflection type having a diffraction configuration which
includes N types of interference fringes each corresponding to the N
types of wavelength bands, and diffracting/reflecting the parallel light
beams. The optical device satisfies for each wavelength band, a
relationship of `P>L`, where `L` represents a central diffraction
wavelength in the first and second volume hologram gratings, defined for
a parallel light beam corresponding to a central view angle, and `P`
represents a peak wavelength of the parallel light beams.

Claims:

1. An optical device comprising: a light source; a light guide plate
configured to receive light, and to guide the received light by total
inner reflection; a first hologram grating for diffracting the light
entering the light guide plate; and a second hologram grating for
diffracting light which has been propagated and reflected a plurality of
times through the light guide plate, wherein a peak wavelength of the
light source is closer to a central diffraction wavelength of the light
with a view angle which is diffracted a higher number of times in the
second hologram grating than a central diffraction wavelength of the
light with a view angle which is diffracted a lower number of times in
the second hologram grating.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/481,284, filed on Jun. 9, 2009, and claims priority to Japanese
Priority Patent Application JP 2008-151430 filed in the Japanese Patent
Office on Jun. 10, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present application relates to an optical device and a virtual
image display for guiding display image light as a virtual image to
viewer's pupils through the use of a reflection type volume hologram
grating.

[0003] International Publication No. 2005/093493 pamphlet proposes a
device allowing a viewer to observe a two-dimensional image displayed on
an image display element as an enlarged virtual image by a virtual image
optical system using a reflection type volume hologram grating. The
device is a display applicable as, for example, an HMD (Head Mounted
Display). FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration example of a virtual image
display 80 proposed by International Publication No. 2005/093493
pamphlet.

[0004] The virtual image display 80 includes an image display element 81
displaying an image, and a virtual image optical system receiving display
light displayed on the image display element 81 and then guiding the
display light to a viewer's pupil 16. The image display element 81 is,
for example, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an inorganic
EL display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. The virtual image
optical system includes a collimating optical system 82 and a light guide
plate 83 including a hologram layer 84 arranged therein. The collimating
optical system 82 is an optical system receiving light beams emitted from
pixels of the image display element 81, and then converting the light
beams into a plurality of parallel light beams with different view
angles. The plurality of parallel light beams with different view angles
emitted from the collimating optical system 82 enters the light guide
plate 83.

[0005] FIG. 18 illustrates, as a representative of the parallel light
beams, only a parallel light beam L10 with a central view angle which is
emitted from a pixel in a central part of the image display element 81,
and then converted into a light beam with a zero view angle (vertical to
an incident surface of the light guide plate 83) by the collimating
optical system 82 to enter the light guide plate 83.

[0006] The light guide plate 83 has a configuration in which the hologram
layer 84 is sandwiched between transparent substrates 83A and 83B. The
light guide plate 83 is a light guide plate in the shape of a thin
parallel plate including, as main surfaces, an optical surface 83a and an
optical surface 83b facing the optical surface 83a. The optical surface
83a has a light inlet 83a1 at one end thereof to receive the parallel
light beams with different view angles emitted from the collimating
optical system 82. The optical surface 83a has a light outlet 83a2 at the
other end thereof to emit light. Protective sheets 85 and 86 for
protecting the optical surfaces 83a and 83b are arranged on the optical
surfaces 83a and 83b of the light guide plate 83, respectively. Moreover,
a light-shielding plate 87 is arranged on the protective sheet 86
arranged on the optical surface 83b in the same position as that of the
light inlet 83a1 of the light guide plate 83 to prevent a decline in
light use efficiency caused by leakage of an enlarged image displayed on
the image display element 81 and enlarged by the collimating optical
system 81 to outside of the light guide plate 83.

[0007] In the hologram layer 84, a first reflection type volume hologram
grating 84a, hereinafter described as a first grating 84a, is formed in a
position corresponding to the light inlet 83a1, and a second reflection
type volume hologram grating 84c, hereinafter described as a second
grating 84c, is formed in a position corresponding to the light outlet
83a2. A section where the first and second gratings 84a and 84c are not
formed of the hologram layer 84 is a non-interference-fringe-recording
region 84b where interference fringes are not recorded. In the first
grating 84a, interference fringes are recorded with uniform pitches on a
hologram surface. Moreover, in the second grating 84c, interference
fringes having different diffraction efficiency depending on their
positions are recorded. The second grating 84c has lower diffraction
efficiency in a position near the light inlet 83a1 and higher diffraction
efficiency in a position far from the light inlet 83a1 so that light is
allowed to be diffracted and reflected a plurality of times.

[0008] The parallel light beams with different view angles entering from
the light inlet 83a1 of the light guide plate 83 enter the
above-described first grating 84a, and each of the parallel light beams
is diffracted and reflected as it is. The diffracted and reflected
parallel light beams travel while being totally reflected between the
optical surfaces 83a and 83b of the light guide plate 83 to enter the
above-described second grating 84c. The light guide plate 83 is designed
to have a sufficient length in a longitudinal direction and a thin
thickness between the optical surface 83a and the optical surface 83b so
as to have such an optical path length that numbers of times of the total
reflection of the parallel light beams with different view angles, while
traveling inside the light guide plate 83 until the parallel light beams
active at the second reflection grating 84c, depend on their view angles.

[0009] More specifically, among the parallel light beams entering the
light guide plate 83, a parallel light beam entering the light guide
plate 83 while being slanted toward the second grating 84c, that is, a
parallel light beam with a large incident angle is reflected a smaller
number of times than a parallel light beam entering the light guide plate
83 while being hardly slanted toward the second grating 84c, that is, a
parallel light beam with a small incident angle, because the parallel
light beams entering the light guide plate 83 have different view angles
from one another. In other words, the incident angles of the parallel
light beams to the first grating 84a are different from one another, so
the parallel light beams are diffracted and reflected at different
diffraction angles, thereby leading to total reflection at different
angles. Therefore, when the light guide plate 83 has a lower profile and
maintains a sufficient length in the longitudinal direction, the numbers
of times of the total reflection of the parallel light beams are
pronouncedly different from one another.

[0010] The parallel light beams with different view angles which enter the
second grating 84c are diffracted and reflected thereby to deviate from
conditions of total reflection, and then the parallel light beams are
emitted from the light outlet 83a2 of the light guide plate 83 to enter
the viewer's pupil 16.

[0011] In the virtual image display 80, when the diffraction efficiency of
the second grating 84a is changed depending on position, a pupil
diameter, that is, the virtual image viewable range of the viewer is
expanded. More specifically, for example, when the diffraction efficiency
of the second grating 84c is 40% in a position 84c1 near the light inlet
83a1 and 70% in a position 84c2 far from the light inlet 83a1, 40% of the
parallel light beams entering the second grating 84c for the first time
is diffracted and reflected in the position 84c1, and 60% of the parallel
light beams passes through. The parallel light beams having passing
through are totally reflected inside the light guide plate 83, and enter
the position 84c2 of the second grating 84c.

[0012] The diffraction efficiency in the position 84c2 is 70%, so 60% of
the parallel light beams passes through in the first entry into the
second grating 84c, so 42% (0.6×0.7=0.42) of the parallel light
beams is diffracted and reflected in the position 84c2. Thus, when the
diffraction efficiency is appropriately changed depending on the position
of the second grating 84c, the light intensity balance of light emitted
from the light outlet 83a2 may be kept. Therefore, when a region in which
the interference fringes are recorded of the second grating 84c is
increased in the hologram layer 84, the virtual image viewable range is
easily expanded.

SUMMARY

[0013] However, in the virtual image display 80, as described above, among
the parallel light beams entering the light guide plate 83, the number of
times a parallel light beam entering the light guide plate 83 while being
slanted toward the second grating 84c, that is, a parallel light beam
with a large incident angle is reflected a smaller number of times than a
parallel light beam entering the light guide plate 83 while being hardly
slanted toward the second grating 84c, that is, a parallel light beam
with a small incident angle. Therefore, the numbers of times the light
beams with different view angles are diffracted and reflected in the
second grating 84c are different from one another, so it is difficult to
keep the light intensity between the light beams with different view
angles. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, an issue about the light intensity
balance between the light beams with different view angles will be
described below. FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate simplified views of an
optical system which is substantially equivalent to a configuration of a
section on the second grating 84c side of the virtual image display 80
illustrated in FIG. 18.

[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 19, a distance from a viewer's pupil
position O to the second grating 84c is S, and a light beam with a
reference view angle V is diffracted and reflected from a position X in
the second grating 84c. At this time, in a position X±θ where
light beams with a view angle ±θ is diffracted and reflected
from the second grating 84c is represented by the following expression in
the case where the refractive index of the light guide plate 83 is
approximately ignored.

X±θ=X+Stan(±θ)

[0015] In this case, the view angle is an angle with respect to a normal
100 to a surface of the light guide plate 83 (a surface of the second
grating 84c). The light beam with the reference view angle V is a light
beam which enters vertically into an incident surface of the light guide
plate 83, and then is emitted vertically from an emission surface of the
light guide plate 83. That is, the reference view angle V is 0 degrees.

[0016] A distance (X.sub.+θ-X.sub.-θ) between a position
X.sub.+θ and a position X.sub.-θ is a necessary width of the
second grating 84c in the viewer's pupil position O. Moreover, the
diffraction-reflection angle γ of a parallel light beam in a
wavelength band λ entering the first grating 84a with a surface
pitch p at an incident angle φ is represented by the following
expression. In this case, the incident angle and the
diffraction-reflection angle γ are angles with respect to a normal
to a surface of the first grating 84a. Further, "n" represents the
refractive index of a medium.

γ=arcsin(λ/np-sin φ)

[0017] Thus, an angle at which the parallel light beams for the wavelength
band λ are totally reflected inside the light guide plate 83 is
changed with a change in the incident angle φ. Therefore, as
illustrated in FIG. 20, a number R.sub.+θ of times a parallel light
beam with an view angle +θ entering the viewer's pupil is
diffracted and reflected in the second grating 83c until the parallel
light beam arrives at the position X.sub.+θ and a number Rv of
times the parallel light beam with the reference view angle V is
diffracted and reflected in the second grating 83c until the parallel
light beam arrives at the position X are represented by the following
expressions in the case where the reflection position X.sub.-θ of a
light beam with a view angle -θ is a starting point.

R.sub.+θ=(X.sub.+θ-X.sub.-θ)/(ttan(asin(λ/np-sin-
(+θn))))

Rv=-(X.sub.-θ)/(ttan(asin(λ/np)))

[0018] In this case, "+θn" is an angle at which the light beam with
the view angle +θ enters a light guide plate medium with the
refractive index n.

[0019] Thereby, for example, under the following conditions, the number Rv
of times the light beam with the reference view angle V is diffracted and
reflected is 2 in an observation position θ (i.e., viewer's pupil
position), but it is necessary for a light beam with a view angle of +8
degrees to be diffracted and reflected four times, and it is necessary
for a light beam with a view angle of -8 degrees to be diffracted and
reflected once.

[0027] In International Publication No. 2005/093493 pamphlet, the
diffraction efficiency of the second grating 84c illustrated in FIG. 18
is changed depending on position. For example, in the case where the
diffraction efficiency is changed to 40% and 70% depending on position
with reference to the reference view angle V as a reference, in the case
of a light beam with a view angle of +8 degrees, only a light intensity
of 18% remains when the light beam is diffracted and reflected for the
second or subsequent times, and most of the light intensity is lost. In
other words, a light beam with such a view angle that the light beam is
diffracted and reflected for a larger number of times by the second
grating 84c has a smaller light intensity.

[0028] As described above, in the virtual image display described in
International Publication No. 2005/093493 pamphlet, in the case where
light beams with one view angle (the reference view angle V) are used,
the virtual image viewable range may be expanded while keeping the light
intensity balance. However, when virtual images are intended to be
observed within a viewer's pupil range with regard to parallel light
beams with a plurality of view angles, it is difficult to keep a light
intensity balance between the parallel light beams with different view
angles, because the numbers of times parallel light beams with different
view angles are diffracted and reflected in the second grating 83c are
different from one another. Therefore, unevenness in brightness in
observed virtual images occurs.

[0029] It is desirable to provide an optical device and a virtual image
display capable of favorably keeping a light intensity balance between
light beams with different view angles and capable of observing virtual
images with less unevenness in brightness.

[0030] According to an embodiment, there is provided An optical device
including: a light guide plate receiving, for each of N kinds (N is an
integer of 1 or more) of wavelength bands, a plurality of parallel light
beams with different incident angles each corresponding to view angles
within a predetermined view angle range, each of the parallel light beams
traveling in parallel, and the light guide plate guiding the received
parallel light beams according to principle of total inner reflection; a
first volume hologram grating of reflection type having a diffraction
configuration which includes N kinds of interference fringes each
corresponding to the N kinds of wavelength bands, and diffracting and
reflecting the parallel light beams which have entered the light guide
plate, so as to be reflected inside the light guide plate according to
the principle of total inner reflection; and a second volume hologram
grating of reflection type having a diffraction configuration which
includes N kinds of interference fringes each corresponding to the N
kinds of wavelength bands, and diffracting and reflecting the parallel
light beams which have propagated inside the light guide plate according
to the principle of total inner reflection, so as to be emitted from the
light guide plate as they are in parallel, respectively, in which the
optical device is configured, for a wavelength band selected from the N
kinds of wavelength bands, to satisfy a relationship of `P>L`, where
`L` represents a central diffraction wavelength in the first and second
volume hologram gratings, the central diffraction wavelength being
defined for a parallel light beam corresponding to a central view angle,
and `P` represents a peak wavelength of the parallel light beams which is
to enter the light guide plate.

[0031] According to an embodiment, there is provided A virtual image
display including: an image forming section displaying an image through
the use of light for N kinds (N is an integer of 1 or more) of wavelength
bands; a collimating optical system converting light beams for the N
kinds of wavelength bands emitted from the image forming section into
parallel light beams; a light guide plate receiving, through the
collimating optical system, for each of N kinds of wavelength bands, a
plurality of parallel light beams with different incident angles each
corresponding to view angles within a predetermined view angle range,
each of the parallel light beams traveling in parallel, and the light
guide plate guiding the received parallel light beams according to
principle of total inner reflection; a first volume hologram grating of
reflection type having a diffraction configuration which includes N kinds
of interference fringes each corresponding to the N kinds of wavelength
bands, and diffracting and reflecting the parallel light beams which have
entered the light guide plate, so as to be reflected inside the light
guide plate according to the principle of total inner reflection; and a
second volume hologram grating of reflection type having a diffraction
configuration which includes N kinds of interference fringes each
corresponding to the N kinds of wavelength bands, and diffracting and
reflecting the parallel light beams which have propagated inside the
light guide plate according to the principle of total inner reflection,
so as to be emitted from the light guide plate as they are in parallel,
respectively, in which the optical device is configured, for a wavelength
band selected from the N kinds of wavelength bands, to satisfy a
relationship of `P>L`, where `L` represents a central diffraction
wavelength in the first and second volume hologram gratings, the central
diffraction wavelength being defined for a parallel light beam
corresponding to a central view angle, and `P` represents a peak
wavelength of the parallel light beams which is to enter the light guide
plate.

[0032] In the optical device or the virtual image display according to an
embodiment, a plurality of parallel light beams enter with different
incident angles each corresponding to view angles within a predetermined
view angle range. The plurality of parallel light beams which have
entered the light guide plate are diffracted and reflected in the first
and second volume hologram gratings to be emitted from the light guide
plate. At this time, the peak wavelength P of the parallel light beams
which is to enter the light guide plate and the central diffraction
wavelength L in the first and second volume hologram gratings satisfy a
relationship of P>L. Therefore, for each of the wavelength bands, the
peak wavelength P of the parallel light beams is brought near a central
diffraction wavelength of a light beam with a view angle which is
diffracted and reflected a large number of times in the second volume
hologram grating thereby to compensate for a decline in light intensity
of the light beam with the view angle which is diffracted and reflected a
large number of times in the second volume hologram grating, and the
light intensity balance between light beams with different view angles is
favorably maintained.

[0033] In the optical device according to an embodiment, the central
diffraction wavelength L in the first and second volume hologram gratings
and the peak wavelength P of the parallel light beams which is to enter
the light guide plate satisfy a predetermined relationship so as to
compensate for a decline in light intensity of the light beam with a view
angle which is diffracted and reflected a large number of times in the
second volume hologram grating. Therefore, the light intensity balance
between light beams with different view angles is favorably maintained,
and virtual images with less unevenness in brightness are viewable when
the optical device is used in a virtual image display.

[0034] In the virtual image display according to an embodiment, the
central diffraction wavelength L in the first and second volume hologram
gratings and the peak wavelength P of the parallel light beams which to
be enter the light guide plate satisfy a predetermined relationship so as
to compensate for a decline in light intensity of a light beam with a
view angle diffracted and reflected a large number of times in the second
volume hologram grating. Therefore, the light intensity balance between
light beams with different view angles is favorably maintained, and
virtual images with less unevenness in brightness are viewable.

[0035] Additional features and advantages are described in, and will be
apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036]FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of a
virtual image display according to an embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of a
first reflection type volume hologram grating in the virtual image
display according to an embodiment.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of a
second reflection type volume hologram grating in the virtual image
display according to an embodiment.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating another configuration example of
the first reflection type volume hologram grating in the virtual image
display according to an embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating another configuration example of
the second reflection type volume hologram grating in the virtual image
display according to an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a relationship between an incident
view angle and a central diffraction wavelength in the first and the
second reflection type volume hologram gratings.

[0042]FIG. 7 is an illustration of a relationship between the number of
diffraction-reflections and the intensity of emitted light in the second
reflection type volume hologram grating.

[0043]FIG. 8 is a plot illustrating an example of a spectrum distribution
of a red LED.

[0044]FIG. 9 is an illustration about a method of striking a light
intensity balance between light beams with incident view angles.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a virtual
image display in an example of the application used for measurement of
light intensity distribution.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a plot illustrating a diffraction-reflection spectrum
distribution of a first reflection type volume hologram grating in the
example according to an embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a plot illustrating a diffraction-reflection spectrum
distribution of a second reflection type volume hologram grating in the
example according to an embodiment.

[0048]FIG. 13 is a plot illustrating a spectrum distribution of a red LED
in the example according to an embodiment.

[0049]FIG. 14 is a plot illustrating a spectrum distribution in a red
wavelength band diffracted and the reflected by the second reflection
type volume hologram grating in the example according to an embodiment.

[0050]FIG. 15 is a plot illustrating a light intensity distribution of a
red wavelength band in a virtual image observation position in the
example according to an embodiment.

[0051]FIG. 16 is a plot illustrating a spectrum distribution of a red LED
in a comparative example.

[0052] FIG. 17 is a plot illustrating a light intensity distribution of a
red wavelength band in a virtual image observation position in the
comparative example.

[0053] FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of a
virtual image display in related art.

[0054] FIG. 19 is an illustration describing a diffraction-reflection
position in a second reflection type volume hologram grating of the
virtual image display in related art.

[0055] FIG. 20 is an illustration describing a relationship between the
diffraction-reflection position in the second reflection type volume
hologram grating of the virtual image display in related art, an
observation view angle and the number of diffraction-reflections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present application will be described in detail below referring
to the accompanying drawings according to an embodiment.

[0057]FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a virtual image
display 10 according to an embodiment. The virtual image display 10
includes an image display element 11 as an image forming section
displaying an image, and a virtual image optical system receiving display
light displayed on the image display element 11 to guide the display
light to a viewer's pupil 16. The image display element 11 is, for
example, an organic EL display, an inorganic EL display, a liquid crystal
display or the like. The image display element 11 displays an image
through the use of light for N kinds (N is an integer of 1 or more) of
wavelength bands. For example, in the case where color display is
performed, an image is displayed through the use of light for a red
wavelength band (red light), light for a green wavelength band (green
light) and light for a blue wavelength band (blue light).

[0058] The virtual image optical system includes a collimating optical
system 12, a light guide plate 13, a first reflection type volume
hologram grating 14 and a second reflection type volume hologram grating
15 both of which are arranged on the light guide plate 13.

[0059] The collimating optical system 12 is an optical system receiving,
for each of N kinds of wavelength bands, emitted from pixels of the image
display element 11, and then converting the light beams into a plurality
of parallel light beams with different view angles for each of the
wavelength bands. The plurality of parallel light beams with different
view angles enter the light guide plate 13.

[0060] In FIG. 1, as the plurality of parallel light beams, three parallel
light beams L10, L11 and L12 with different view angles are illustrated.
Moreover, in FIG. 1, to easily understand the state of light rays
traveling inside the light guide plate 13, the numbers of times the light
rays are reflected inside the light guide plate 13 are reduced to
simplify the drawing. The parallel light beam L10 is a light beam with a
central view angle which is emitted from a pixel in a central section of
the image display element 11, and is converted into a light beam with a
zero view angle (vertical to an incident surface of the light guide plate
13) by the collimating optical system 12 to enter the light guide plate
13. The parallel light beam L10 corresponds to a light beam with a
reference view angle V=0° illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The
parallel light beam L11 is a light beam with a peripheral view angle
which is emitted from a pixel in a peripheral section of the image
display element 11, and is converted into a light beam with a
predetermined view angle (a predetermined view angle with respect to a
normal to the surface of the light guide plate 13) by the collimating
optical system 12 to enter the light guide plate 13. The parallel light
beam L11 corresponds to a light beam with a view angle +θ of
illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The parallel light beam L12 is a light
beam with another peripheral view angle which is emitted from a pixel in
the another peripheral section of the image display element 11, and is
converted into a light beam with another predetermined view angle
(another predetermined view angle with respect to the normal to the
surface of the light guide plate 13) by the collimating optical system 12
to enter the light guide plate 13. The parallel light beam L12
corresponds to a light beam with a view angle -θ illustrated in
FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0061] The light guide plate 13 receives, for each of the N kinds of
wavelength bands, a plurality of parallel light beams with different
traveling directions through the collimating optical system 12, and
guides the received parallel light beams according to principle of total
inner reflection. The light guide plate 13 is a light guide plate in the
shape of a thin parallel plate including, as main surfaces, an optical
surface 13a and an optical surface 13b facing the optical surface 13a.
The optical surface 13a has a light inlet 13a1 at one end thereof to
receive the parallel light beams with different view angles emitted from
the collimating optical system 12. The optical surface 13a has a light
outlet 13a2 at the other end thereof to emit light. On the optical
surface 13b, the first reflection type volume hologram grating 14,
hereinafter described as the first grating 14, is arranged in a position
facing the light inlet 13a1 of the optical surface 13a, and the second
reflection type volume hologram grating 15, hereinafter described as the
second grating 15, is arranged in a position facing the light outlet 13a2
of the optical surface 13a.

[0062] The first grating 14 diffracts and reflects the parallel light
beams for each of the wavelength bands which have entered the light guide
plate 13, so as to be reflected inside the light guide plate 13 according
to the principle of total inner reflection. The second grating 15
diffracts and reflects the parallel light beams which have propagated
inside the light guide plate 13 according to the principle of total inner
reflection, so as to be emitted from the light guide plate 13 as they are
in parallel. The first and second gratings 14 and 15 each have a
diffraction configuration which includes N kinds of interference fringes
each corresponding to the N kinds of the wavelength bands, and
interference fringes each corresponding to the N kinds of the wavelength
bands are recorded with uniform pitches p on a hologram surface.

[0063] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate configuration examples of the first and
second gratings 14 and 15 each having a diffraction configuration for
three kinds (N=3) of wavelength bands, for example, red, blue and green.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first grating 14 is formed, for example, by
laminating three layers, that is, hologram layers 14A, 14B and 14C. For
example, interference fringes diffracting and reflecting mainly red light
are recorded in the hologram layer 14A, and interference fringes
diffracting and reflecting mainly blue light are recorded in the hologram
layer 14B, and interference fringes diffracting and reflecting mainly
green light are recorded in the hologram layer 14C. In each of the
hologram layers 14A, 14B and 14C, for example, interference fringes with
the same slant angle (slant of the interference fringes) η are
recorded. The interference fringes in the hologram layer 14A, the
interference fringes in the hologram layer 14B and the interference
fringes in the hologram layer 14C are recorded with different pitches
from one another. Moreover, interference fringes in each of the hologram
layers 14A, 14B and 14C are recorded with the same pitches irrespective
of position. In other words, when the pitches between the interference
fringes recorded in the hologram layer 14A is p, the interference fringes
in the other hologram layers 14B and 14C are recorded with pitches
different from the pitches p.

[0064] The second grating 15 has a configuration symmetrical to that of
the first grating 14. As illustrated in FIG. 3, as in the case of the
first grating 14, the second grating 15 is formed, for example, by
laminating three layers, that is, hologram layers 15A, 15B and 15C. For
example, interference fringes diffracting and reflecting mainly red light
are recorded in the hologram layer 15A, and interference fringes
diffracting and reflecting mainly blue light in the hologram layer 15B,
and interference fringes diffracting and reflecting mainly green light
are recorded in the hologram layer 15C. In each of the hologram layers
15A, 15B and 15C, for example, interference fringes with the same slant
angle η are recorded. The interference fringes in the hologram layer
15A, the interference fringes in the hologram layer 15B and the
interference fringes in the hologram layer 15C are recorded with
different pitches from one another. Moreover, interference fringes in
each of the hologram layers 15A, 15B and 15C are recorded with the same
pitches irrespective of position.

[0065] Moreover, the first and second gratings 14 and 15 have a
configuration satisfying the following condition for each of the
wavelength bands where a central diffraction wavelength defined as a
diffraction wavelength at a central view angle (the reference view angle
V) for each of the wavelength bands (for interference fringes of each
color) is L, and the peak wavelength of the plurality of parallel light
beams, for each of the wavelength bands, entering the light guide plate
13 is P.

P>L

[0066] Functions and effects by satisfying the condition will be described
in detail later.

[0067] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate diffraction configurations in other
configuration examples different from the configurations illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3. In the configuration examples, interference fringes
corresponding to N kinds of wavelength bands are multiplexed and recorded
in the same layer. In a first reflection type volume hologram grating 24,
hereinafter described in the first grating 24, illustrated in FIG. 4,
three kinds of interference fringes diffracting and reflecting red light,
green light and blue light, that is, red light interference fringes 24R,
green light interference fringes 24G, and blue light interference fringes
24B are multiplexed and recorded in the same layer. The three kinds of
interference fringes are recorded so that grating pitches on a hologram
surface 24S are uniform for each of the three kinds of interference
fringes, but different between the three kinds of interference fringes.
In other words, when the pitch between the red light interference fringes
24R is p, the green light interference fringes 24G and the blue light
interference fringe 24B are formed with different pitches from the pitch
p. Moreover, the three kinds of interference fringes are recorded, for
example, at the same slant angle η.

[0068] A second reflection type volume hologram grating 25, hereinafter
described the second grating 25, illustrated in FIG. 5 has a
configuration symmetric to that of the first grating 24 illustrated in
FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the second grating 25, as in the
case of the first grating 24, three kinds of interference fringes, that
is, red light interference fringes 25R, green light interference fringes
25G and blue light interference fringes 25B are multiplexed and recorded
in the same layer. The three kinds of interference fringes are recorded
so that grating pitches on a hologram surface 25S are uniform for each of
the three kinds of interference fringes, but different between the three
kinds of interference fringes. In other words, when the pitch between the
red light interference fringes 25R is p, the green light interference
fringes 25G and the blue light interference fringes 25B are formed with
different pitches from the pitch p. Moreover, the three kinds of
interference fringes are recorded, for example, at the same slant angle
η.

[0069] Next, the operation of the virtual image display configured in the
above-described manner will be described below.

[0070] In the virtual image display 10, the parallel light beams with
different view angles entering from the light inlet 13a1 of the light
guide plate 13 through the collimating optical system 12 enters the first
grating 14, and each of the parallel light beams is diffracted and
reflected as it is. The diffracted and reflected parallel light beams
travel while being repeatedly totally reflected between the optical
surface 13a and the optical surface 13b of the light guide plate 13 to
enter the second grating 15. The light guide plate 13 is designed to have
a sufficient length in a longitudinal direction and a thin thickness
between the optical surface 13a and the optical surface 13b so as to have
such an optical path length that the numbers of times of the total
reflection of the parallel light beams with different view angles, while
traveling inside the light guide plate 13 until the parallel light beams
arrive at the second grating 15, depend on their view angles. More
specifically, among the parallel light beams entering the light guide
plate 13, the parallel light beam L11 entering at a view angle +θ
while being slanted toward the second grating 15, that is a parallel
light beam with a large incident angle is reflected a smaller number of
times than the parallel light beam L12 entering at a view angle -θ
which is in an opposite direction to the view angle +θ.

[0071] The parallel light beams with view angles entering the second
grating 15 are diffracted and reflected thereby to deviate from
conditions of total reflection, and then the parallel light beams are
emitted from the light outlet 13a2 of the light guide plate 13 to enter a
viewer's pupil 16.

[0072] In the virtual image display 10, the second grating 15 and the
first grating 14 are arranged on the optical surface 13b of the light
guide plate 13 so that interference fringes recorded in the second
grating 15 and interference fringes recorded in the first grating 14 are
180-degree rotationally symmetric to each other in a hologram plane.
Therefore, the parallel light beams is reflected by the second grating 15
at an angle equal to an incident angle to the first grating 14, so a
display image is displayed on the viewer's pupil 16 with high resolution
without being blurred.

[0073] Moreover, since the virtual image display 10 includes the first
grating 14 and the second grating 15 which do not work as any lens,
monochromatic eccentric aberration and diffraction chromatic aberration
may be eliminated or reduced. The first grating 14 and the second grating
15 are arranged so that a hologram plane 14S of the first grating 14 and
a hologram plane 15S of the second grating 15 are parallel to the optical
surface 13b of the light guide plate 13. However, the application is not
limited thereto, and the hologram planes 14S and 15S may be arranged so
as to have a predetermined angle with respect to the optical surface 13b.

[0074] Next, functions and effects in the case where the above-described
central diffraction wavelength L and the peak wavelength P of the
parallel light beams satisfy a predetermined relationship will be
described below. In the following description, a single wavelength band,
specifically a red wavelength band is used as an example, but in the case
where light for a plurality of wavelength bands including other
wavelength bands (a blue wavelength band, a green wavelength band or the
like) is used, when the central diffraction wavelength L and the peak
wavelength P corresponding to each of the plurality of wavelength bands
satisfy the same relationship, the same functions and effects are
obtained.

[0075] FIG. 6 illustrates a relationship between an incident or emission
view angle and a central diffraction wavelength in the first or second
grating 14 or 15. Examples of values illustrated in FIG. 6 are values
under the following specifications. In addition, in the values
illustrated in FIG. 6, the view angle θ of a minus value
corresponds to a view angle -θ illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 in
the case where the second grating 15 is used as an example.

[0082] The central diffraction wavelength of the first or second
reflection type volume hologram gratings 14 or 15 under the
above-described specifications are continuously shifted by the view angle
as illustrated in FIG. 6, because Bragg conditions are changed depending
on the incident angle of the parallel light beam. In other words, as the
view angle increases, the central diffraction wavelength increases, and
it is found out that the central diffraction wavelengths at a view angle
+θ, the central view angle V (=0 degrees) and a view angle -θ
are 660 nm, 635 nm and 605 nm, respectively.

[0083] Now, as described above referring to FIG. 20, the view angle of a
parallel light beam which is totally reflected inside the second grating
15 a larger number of times causes an increase in the number of times the
light beam is diffracted and reflected by the second grating 15, thereby
an image is dark when a viewer observes the image. For example, when the
diffraction efficiency of the second grating 15 is 30%, and the intensity
of a light beam entering the second grating 15 for the first time is
100%, the intensity of the light beam diffracted and reflected for the
first time to be emitted is 30%, and the intensity of the emitted light
beam diffracted and reflected for the second time is 21% because 30% of
the intensity (70%) of the light beam not diffracted and reflected for
the first time is diffracted, and in the same manner, the intensity of
the light beam diffracted and reflected for the third time to be emitted
is 14.7%, and the intensity of the light beam diffracted and reflected
for the fourth time to be emitted is 10.29%. Thus, the intensity of a
light beam with a view angle which is viewable by being diffracted and
reflected for the fourth time is about 1/3 of the intensity of a light
beam with a view angle which is viewable by being diffracted and
reflected for the first time. Such a decline in light intensity occurs
even in the case where the diffraction efficiency of the second grating
15 is changed.

[0084] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 7, it is found out that even in
the case where the diffraction efficiency is changed within a range of
10% to 40%, the larger the number of times light with a view angle is
diffracted and reflected, the more the intensity of the light with the
view angle is reduced in principle. FIG. 7 illustrates a relationship
between the number of times light is internally diffracted and reflected
and the intensity of emitted light in the second grating 15 in the case
where the diffraction efficiency is changed.

[0085] On the other hand, for example, in the case where a red LED with a
spectrum distribution having a peak around 650 nm as illustrated in FIG.
8 is used as a light source of the image display element 11, the spectrum
distribution of light with each view angle which is diffracted and
reflected from the second grating 15 is represented by the product of the
diffraction efficiency distributions of the first and second gratings 14
and 15 in which the central diffraction wavelength is shifted by the
spectrum distribution of the LED and Bragg conditions.

[0086] In the embodiment, to solve an issue of the above-described decline
in light intensity, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the peak wavelength of the
LED is brought near the central diffraction wavelength of a light beam
with a view angle which is diffracted and reflected a large number of
times, for example, 3 or 4 times thereby to compensate for a decline in
light intensity of the light beam with a view angle which is diffracted
and reflected a large number of times and to increase the intensity of
the light beam with the view angle. Therefore, the light intensity
balance between light beams with different view angles is struck. In
other words, it means that when a center wavelength (a central
diffraction wavelength at a view angle of 0 degrees) for a wavelength
band diffracted and reflected by the first and second gratings 14 and 15
is L (635 nm), and the peak wavelength of the parallel light beams having
the spectrum distribution of the LED entering the light guide plate 13
for the wavelength band is P (648 nm), a relationship between them is
represented by the following relationship.

P>L

[0087] Next, a specific example of the virtual image display 10 according
to the embodiment will be described below.

[0088] FIG. 10 illustrates the configuration of the virtual image display
10 in the example. In the example, the virtual image display 10 was
formed so that the thickness of the first grating 14 was 7 μm, and the
thickness of the second grating 15 was 5 μm, and the surface pitches p
of the first and second gratings 14 and 15 was 0.531 μm, and the slant
angle η of the interference fringe was 64.5 degrees, and Δn was
0.05. In this case, "Δn" represents a modulated width of the
refractive index of each of the first and second gratings 14 and 15
diffracting and reflecting light beams by the periodical modulation of
the refractive index in a medium. The first and second gratings 14 and 15
were arranged on the light guide plate 13 with a thickness of 1 mm so as
to have a space of 30 mm therebetween, and the parallel light beams
emitted from the image display element 11 and collimated at a view angle
of ±8 degrees by the collimating optical system 12 was allowed to
enter the first grating 14, and a virtual image was observed by the CCD
camera 17 at the viewer's pupil position O.

[0089] The wavelength band diffracted and reflected by the first and
second gratings 14 and 15 in the example was 585 nm to 670 nm in a range
of the view angle (i.e., incident angle) of ±8 degrees as illustrated
in FIGS. 11 and 12, and the central wavelength was substantially equal to
a diffraction wavelength of 630 nm at the central view angle of 0
degrees. FIG. 11 illustrates the diffraction reflection spectrum of the
first grating 14, and FIG. 12 illustrates the diffraction reflection
spectrum of the second grating 15.

[0090]FIG. 13 illustrates the spectrum distribution of a light source
(the red LED) illuminating the image display element 11 used in the
example. The diffraction efficiency distributions at each view angle of
the first and second gratings 14 and 15 are as illustrated in FIGS. 11
and 12, and in the case where a light source illustrated in FIG. 13 is
used, the LED spectrums of light beams, diffracted and reflected by the
second grating 15, at the view angle of ±8 degrees and the central
view angle are as illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0091] A result obtained by measuring a light intensity distribution in a
horizontal direction of a virtual image plane observed in the viewer's
pupil position O in the example by the CCD camera 17 is illustrated in
FIG. 15. The peak wavelength of the red LED at this time was 645 nm, and
the peak wavelength compensated for a decline in the intensity of a light
beam with a view angle of +8 degrees by diffracting and reflecting the
light beam a plurality of times. Then, a relationship between the central
wavelength L (630 nm) for a wavelength band diffracted and reflected by
the first and second gratings 14 and 15 and the peak wavelength P=645 nm
of the parallel light beams by the red LED in the example, which entered
the light guide plate 13 for the wavelength band satisfied the following
relationship.

P>L

[0092] Next, as a comparative example, measurement was performed in the
case where a red LED having a spectrum distribution illustrated in FIG.
16 was used as a light source illuminating the image display element 11.
A result obtained by measuring the light intensity distribution in a
horizontal direction of a virtual image plane observed in the viewer's
pupil position O is illustrated in FIG. 17. In the comparative example,
the peak wavelength of the red LED was 630 nm, and a relationship,
between the central wavelength L=635 nm for a wavelength band where light
beams were diffracted and reflected by the first and second gratings 14
and 15 and the peak wavelength P=630 nm of the plurality of parallel
light beams by the red LED entering the light guide plate 13 for the
wavelength band, did not satisfy the above relationship.

[0093] It was evident from a comparison between the results obtained by
measuring the light intensity distributions illustrated in FIGS. 15 and
17 that in the case of the comparative example in FIG. 17 in which the
relationship did not satisfy P>L, the intensity of a light beam with a
view angle which was reflected a smaller number of times is higher, and
the intensity of a light beam with a view angle which was reflected a
larger number of times was lower, so a virtual image displayed thereby
was not appropriate as an observed image. On the other hand, in the case
of the example in FIG. 15 in which the relationship satisfied the above
relationship, the luminance at the central view angle in the observed
virtual image was the highest, and as the view angle increased in
positive or negative directions, the luminance gradually declined. This
was a natural state as an observed image, and the light intensity balance
between light beams with different view angles was struck.

[0094] In the above-described example, the case where the relationship
P>L is satisfied by changing the spectrum distribution of the light
source of the image display element 11 is described. However, the
relationship P>L may be satisfied by changing the diffraction
configurations of the first and second gratings 14 and 15.

[0095] As described above, in the virtual image display 10 according to
the embodiment, the central diffraction wavelength L in the first and
second gratings 14 and 15 and the peak wavelength P of the parallel light
beams entering the light guide plate 13 satisfy a predetermined
relationship so as to compensate for a decline in intensity of the light
beam with a view angle which is diffracted and reflected a large number
of times in the second grating 15, so the light intensity balance between
light beams with different view angles is favorably maintained, and
virtual images with less unevenness in brightness may be observed.

Other Embodiment

[0096] The present application is not limited to the above-described
embodiment, and may be variously modified.

[0097] For example, the present application is applicable to a
configuration example of a virtual image display 80 illustrated in FIG.
18, as in the case of the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 1.
More specifically, it is only necessary for first and second gratings 84a
and 84c in the virtual image display 80 to be configured so that a
central diffraction wavelength L at a central view angle satisfies the
following relationship with a peak wavelength P of parallel light beams
which is to enter a light guide plate 83.

P>L

[0098] Moreover, the present application is applicable to apparatuses
displaying an enlarged virtual image in substantially the same principle
as that in the virtual image display illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 18
through the use of a reflection type volume hologram grating.

[0099] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to
the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope and without diminishing its
intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.